As a veteran, I know first-hand how important and fundamental the first few years post-service can be when joining the civilian workforce. At Sealed Air, we value the experience and knowledge of our employees who are military veterans. Veterans bring a commitment to helping others and adhering to a code of ethics. For the last five years, our Veterans Network has provided our veterans a resource to share experiences and assist each other in their professional careers.

One of the funnier (and more truthful) bumper stickers I’ve seen lately has been on the backs of tractor trailers traveling the highways. It reads: Don’t like trucks? Stop buying stuff. Problem solved.

This consumer joke hits home to those of us who spend a lot of time in fulfillment centers, especially during holiday peak season, which heats up mid-November and lasts through early January. As more purchases are made online, there’s more trouble brewing inside fulfillment centers that still aren’t prepared for the onslaught of e-commerce holiday orders each year.

Customers sure are hard to please. Not only do they want things delivered faster and cheaper, they also want a greater variety: More products, more variations on existing products, more accessories and add-ons. More, more, more.

How does food waste relate to food security? I had the chance to sit down with World Food Program USA to discuss the root causes of food loss and how we can develop innovative approaches to achieve Zero Hunger worldwide.

World Food Program USA (WFP): A new report shows the number of people who go to bed hungry has increased for a third consecutive year. How is food waste reduction a part of the solution?

I recently bought a waffle maker online. It was sent to me in the exact same box the manufacturer uses for displaying it on a store shelf, but with a little extra tape. No surprise that it showed up at my house bumped, bruised and broken.

Aisles of every store are filled to the brim with pens, notepads and backpacks ready to help students succeed in their pursuit of knowledge. However, not all students have the resources to properly prepare for the school year, which can put them behind in the classroom and cause them to miss critical lessons.

A few years ago, on my way to the office, I was listening to a radio story about the quarterly earnings of a major U.S. retailer. In the story, losses from damaged goods were lumped in the same financial earnings/loss bucket as retail shrinkage and theft.

This type of financial reporting is not surprising, as it has long been true that there’s a certain amount of damage loss companies find acceptable. It can be anywhere from two to eight percent, but every business in every industry manages to find its own “acceptable” damage rate.

This time of year is dedicated to remembrance. We remember those who paid the ultimate price, honor those who have served in the armed forces, and appreciate the sacrifices of military spouses and family members. These holidays include Armed Forces Day, Anzac Day and Memorial Day.

While reflecting on the freedoms secured by their efforts, it’s important for us to remember to serve those who have served us.